Tools to facilitate parental agreements and other communication

The state, non-profit organizations, and other private parties offer an increasing number of tools to parents that can assist in the course of parental conflict and in finding solutions for children in the future.

The tools can serve a variety of purposes.

Personal meetings for parents

Although it is often unimaginable for parents to talk openly with each other after a breakup, it is a necessary basis for planning and continuing to exercise care for the children.

The network of support services is quite vast. Across the country, parents can participate in the following:

  • mediation meetings
  • family counseling
  • family therapy
  • joint consultation with a child welfare authority
  • parent meetings facilitated by a third party
  • individual counseling

The Office supports parents in personal meetings in the presence of professionals. It is within our possibilities to pass on contacts to local specialist services, to carry out a facilitated interview with the involvement of a lawyer and Office psychologist, or to promote a mediation meeting.

Can parents reach an agreement, but is it difficult to follow through? Then parents can use, e.g., parenting plans.

Guidance and support for developing a parenting plan from Caffcass.

Parenting apps and online communication tools

Co-parenting apps can be an excellent service to parents.

Communication between parents who have separated is the biggest challenge. Using tools designed to help with communication is a good idea. There are many applications; here we select just a few examples:

Most apps are in English. Unfortunately, Office staff cannot share practices with any of these apps. So it will always be up to parents to decide whether they want to try a different style of communication and more transparent transmission of information about their children.

Here is a video on how children can see their parents' separation: https://youtu.be/jayvwAAcR1g

The 20 most common requests from children when their parents break up Children's feelings when parents split up as described by Cafcass UK: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/